Police respond to attempted 'firebomb attack' at northwest London synagogue, say charities

An attempted arson attack has been made on synagogue in northwest London - the second suspected antisemitic hate crime in as many days.

Police and fire crews were called to Kenton United Synagogue in northwest London overnight, the Community Security Trust (CST) said.

A Campaign Against Antisemitism spokesperson added: "Last night, another Jewish synagogue in London was firebombed, this time in Kenton. Thankfully, the damage was limited."

The UK's Chief Rabbi has called the attack "cowardly" and said "a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum".

"This sustained attack on our community's ability to worship and live in safety is an attack on the values that bind us all together," Sir Ephraim Mirvis continued.

It comes a day after an arson attack on a building that used to house a Jewish charity elsewhere in northwest London, which is also being investigated as an antisemitic hate crime.

A spokesperson for CST said the latest attack caused "minor smoke damage to an internal room, but there were no injuries and no significant structural damage".

"We want to thank the Met Police and London Fire Brigade for responding quickly and for all they are doing to protect the Jewish community during this unprecedented period," they added.

The synagogue is close to a school and a children's playground. By Sunday morning, the area was under a large police cordon, with forensics officers, fire investigation dogs and plainclothes officers at the scene.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the Metropolitan Police have "stepped up resources" in northwest London, adding that there will be "a significantly increased police presence in the area, including around Jewish places of worship and businesses".

Read more from Sky News:
Public told not to approach 'dangerous' missing man
Robot beats humans in half-marathon

"There is no place for antisemitism in our city, and the perpetrators of these despicable attacks will face the full force of the law," the mayor wrote in a post on X. "London will always stand united against those seeking to divide us."

A building that used to belong to a Jewish charity in Hendon, northwest London, was attacked on Friday by a man who lit a plastic bag at the entrance before fleeing.

While Jewish Futures no longer uses the site, the signage still bears its name.

No arrests have been made. Police are also treating that attack as an antisemitic hate crime.

On Friday, suspicious items - including two jars containing powder - were found near the Israeli embassy in west London.

Police said the embassy was not attacked but officers are still investigating whether the items are connected to a video posted by an Iran-linked Islamist group, which claimed to have targeted the building with drones carrying dangerous substances.

The incidents followed a spate of other attacks in recent weeks. Last month, four ambulances run by a Jewish charity were burned down in Golders Green, north London, leading to four arrests.

Two people were also arrested this week after bottles of petrol were thrown at a synagogue in Finchley, northwest London.

(c) Sky News 2026: Police respond to attempted 'firebomb attack' at northwest London synagogue, say charities